Bisexuality vs. Pansexuality: What Is the Difference?

A girl wearing a bi pride flag and a girl wearing a pan pride flag at a pride festival. Malmö, Sweden 6 August 2017 | Source

Bisexual vs Pansexual: What is the Difference?

On the surface, bi- and pan- identified people may seem very similar. Both bi and pan people are attracted to people of more than one gender. These orientations are called “polysexual” orientations, as opposed to “monosexual” orientations, like gay or straight. All “polysexual” orientations are sometimes referred to as “bi+” within the LGBT+ community, indicating inclusiveness of all non-monosexual orientations.

The Bi Pride flag | Source

What is Bisexuality?

Bi people are attracted to their own gender and other gender(s). They may find certain characteristics of their own gender appealing, while also being attracted to other characteristics of other genders. For example, a bi woman may be attracted to certain feminine physical characteristics of women, but also be attracted to masculine characteristics of men. The most commonly agreed upon definition of bisexuality within the LGBT+ community comes from the prominent bisexual activist Robyn Ochs. Robyn Ochs describes bisexuality thus:

“I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge in myself the potential to be attracted, romantically and/or sexually, to people of more than one sex, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.”

Bisexuals may be more attracted to one gender than another, or may find that they are attracted to different genders in different ways. This is okay. You are still bi even if you have a preference.

The Pan Pride flag | Source

What is Pansexuality?

Pan people experience a similar pattern of attraction as their bi counterparts, but are not necessarily attracted to specific masculine or feminine characteristics of potential partners. Instead, pan-identified individuals describe themselves as being attracted to the specific person, regardless of their gender. They commonly describe their pattern of attraction as being interested in “hearts, not parts.”

Pan people may also specifically indicate that they are interested in dating people who identify as trans and/or non-binary. Pan individuals are less concerned with what physical body parts a person has or how they express their gender, and are more interested in the overall person.

Pansexuals are not attracted to pans, despite this often-repeated joke.

Pride Parade featuring bi and pan people | Source

So, Are Bi People Transphobic?

No. It is a common misconception that the difference between bisexual and pansexual is that bi people are never attracted to trans-identified individuals, and that pan people are. Bi people may be attracted to trans and non-binary individuals, just as pan people are, because bi people are attracted to similar and different genders to themselves. A bi person would also tend to consider a trans man a man, and a trans woman a woman, as opposed to categorizing trans men and women into a separate “other” category. Bi and pan people may also both be attracted to non-binary individuals.

There are many trans and non-binary people who also identify as bi. Bi does not mean a person who is only attracted to cis-gender people, but rather, a person who is attracted to their own and other genders. Accusing bi-identified people of being inherently transphobic only hurts the overall LGBT+ community.

It doesn't matter if you or your partner identifies as bi or pan. Love is love. | Source

I’m Still Confused. Am I Bi or Pan?

Which term you wish to use to describe your identity is up to you. If you feel like the description of “bi” fits you better, you can identify as bi. If you feel like the definition of “pan” is a better fit, you may wish to use that label instead. Some people prefer the term “bi” because is better understood than “pan” in mainstream culture. On the other hand, some people prefer “pan” because of the misconception that bi people are transphobic. Other people feel that both definitions fit them equally well, and may refer to themselves as both “bi” and “pan” and use the terms interchangeably.

Only you can decide how you will identify. Even if you use one term now, you can always switch to a different label later on if you find that you no longer identify with your original label for your orientation. Ultimately, you are the only one who can determine your orientation and identity.

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